Hopatcong Officer in the Doghouse

When  Andrew Rizzo and Bob Wilton of A. Rizzo Carpentry INC. heard that the department was in need of a new kennel for K9 officer Eli, they wasted no time applying their knowledge of carpentry and connections to rectify the situation.

According to Lt. Thomas Kmetz, Andrew Rizzo and his wife Mandy are residents of Hopatcong and share a love for dogs.

Rizzo used his connections with Residential and Commercial Building Material Company Kuiken Brothers in Succasunna for supplies.  That company was generous enough to provide some of the needed material for free. 

The rest of the $961.58 was supplied by the Borough of Hopatcong through Mayor Sylvia Petillo, Kmetz said.

Construction on the new kennel was started on July 11 and completed that weekend. Hopatcong Police Chief Robert Brennan said he couldn't thank Andrew Rizzo enough for "his time, travel, tools and hard work in voluntarily building this kennel for our K-9 Eli."

"We have received donations  starting with the Lake Hopatcong Elks who helped us purchase Eli and the equipment he needed for training. Then from many residents in Hopatcong and others as far away as Florida for his food and supplies," Brennan said. 

"The outpouring of support for this program is truly amazing. Thank you all for your support."